20-Minute Car Safety Inspection

So you have cabin fever and need to get out on the open road before you go crazy? There are some things you need to do before you jump in your car and head out. Below is a walk-through of how to insure your car is as ready for the road as you are. These are items you can check at home, but in some cases a more extensive check should be done by a mechanic.

under the hood

Oil

Time: 2-3 minutes

Checking your car’s engine oil is one of the simplest and most important maintenance activities. Finding and fixing an oil problem before it damages your engine can save you thousands of dollars in repair costs. Running an engine without oil will cause the engine to seize, and you won’t be going anywhere. The best time to check your engine’s oil is when the engine is warm to the touch. To check the oil, locate the dipstick; most dipsticks will be labeled as “oil.” Pull the stick out and wipe the oil residue off the end. Replace the stick and pull it out again; this time look at the end of the stick that was in the engine. You want the oil to be on the “full” line, if it’s significantly below the line, take your car to the shop for an oil change and ask them to look for a leak. Also, make sure the oil is clear and fluid, not black and jelly-like. If your oil is black and jelly-like or at a really low level, take it to a mechanic immediately to check the engine.

Transmission fluid

Time: 2-3 minutes

Transmission fluid is what keeps your car changing gears smoothly, so be sure to pay proper attention to this maintenance activity. Checking the transmission fluid is just as simple as checking the oil. Look under the hood for the dipstick labeled “transmission.” Repeat the same steps as checking the oil. You are also looking for the transmission fluid to be smooth and clean with no metal flakes. If you find chunks or flakes of metal attached to the dipstick, take your car to the mechanic.

Battery

Time: 2-3 minutes

If you have ever turned the key to start your car only to have nothing happen, you know the importance of having a fully charged battery. An easy way to check the battery is to put a voltmeter across the terminal (you do have a voltmeter, right?). You can also do a visual check of the battery terminals. You are looking for clean terminals with no corrosion buildup. If the terminals have some corrosion, a simple way to clean them is to use a steal brush and a can of Coke. With the car turned off and the battery disconnected, poor some of the Coke on the terminals and let it settle for a few seconds; take the steal brush and start scrubbing. This will remove the corrosion and increase the electricity flow — meaning you’ll get a good cranking voltage.